What He Meant (After Peter Steele’s “Crux”)

The third poem written in response to Peter Steele comes from his very moving work, “Crux”, possibly one of his best poems. You can read the original poem here. Like Steele’s poem, mine is written from the perspective of one of Jesus’ followers immediately after His death, and ponders how Jesus’ words may have seemed at that moment.

What He Meant (After "Crux")

                 Where you must go,
     We cannot follow, of course. That is clear,
The look of complete Elsewhere on your face, the sheer
         Desolation of the show

                 Says it all. You said
      As much quite clearly as we dipped herbs and fought
Amongst ourselves, with questions of greatness, retorts
           Against your broken grace.

                 Sponges dipped in wine
      Recall the bread, the cup, and yet the scene,
So far removed from upper rooms, the shattered screen
           Fractures every line

                  We drew in shifting sand.
       Arms ripped out to the side, you know it all.
Your crown, your spear, your heraldry, the scrawl
           Above your throne

                 Hailing you king –
       Such truth, shrouded in irony – demands we wait,
Until the veil’s finally gone. Sentries at the gate,
           The mourners sing.